'Friend Brutally Murdered' Suspect Jung Jae-hwan's First Trial: Defense Cites Need for Mental State Evaluation

The first trial for Jung Jae-hwan, 24, accused of stabbing a friend to death multiple times, commenced with the defense lawyer raising questions about the defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged crime. The defense stated they needed more time to review the case details but highlighted that the prosecution's indictment cites "unknown reasons" for the attack.

Jung's lawyer argued that the defendant's actions after the incident, coupled with the unclear motive, necessitate a mental health evaluation. The court acknowledged the extensive nature of the victim's family's petition, reportedly spanning 4,000 pages, and requested the victim's side to consider limiting further submissions to facilitate the trial's progress.

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The indictment states 'for unknown reasons' as the motive for the attack, indicating that the circumstances of the crime are not fully understood.

Jung is accused of attacking his friend, identified as A, with a weapon on July 3rd, inflicting approximately 40 stab wounds to the head, neck, torso, and limbs. The prosecution believes A died from excessive bleeding due to multiple injuries. Jung also faces charges for assaulting another friend, causing injuries requiring three weeks of treatment, and for stealing two banana milk cartons from a convenience store after the incident.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 11th, where the court plans to hear the defense's formal opinion on the charges and decide on the need for further investigation. The victim's father was present in court and indicated they would provide their statement at a later hearing.

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The victim's side has submitted a petition that is approximately 4,000 pages long.